Rare Finds from Zuber

January 22, 2018

Wallpaper is a design element that, unless carefully selected, can instantly date a room from season to season. So when covering your walls, choose wisely. One option that has withstood the test of time is Zuber & Cie which was founded in France in 1797. Zuber & Cie creates panoramic murals using wallpaper panels that are still produced entirely by hand using the original hand-carved woodblocks. Zuber possesses over 150,000 hand-carved woodblocks, which were made between 1797 and 1830, and each is classified as a national treasure of France. Once a block is worn out it is retired, along with its design, as the materials and expertise needed to recreate it is prohibitively expensive. These are truly works of art…

During her celebrated restoration of the White House, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy salvaged Views of North America panels from a Maryland home that was being demolished. To this day, the panels remain on the west side of the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. Image from The White House Historical Association.

Zuber’s “The War of American Independence” scenic can be seen in Patricia Altschul’s Charleston home, designed by Mario Buatta. Altschul has had these panels professionally removed and reinstalled in three different homes. Image via Charleston Home + Design.

Zuber wall coverings in a Fifth Avenue pied-a-terre designed by Cathy Kincaid.

The dining room of Bailey McCarthy features Decor Chinois wallpaper from Zuber.

Caroline Sieber’s London Home features a custom botanical mural scene by Zuber.

For Zuber enthusiasts who are not quite ready to commit to covering an entire room or wall, several other options are available…

INDIVIDUAL PANELS

1. Zuber offers individual rare panels for those in the know. These are original wood-blocked panels and can be used like artwork, perfect for small spaces and accent walls. Typically only predetermined sets or a full panoramics are available for purchase, so this is a very exciting design secret! Each panel is unique and features a number of Zuber’s iconic scenes, including Hindoustan, Scenes of North America, War of Independence, Decor Chinois, and El Dorado to name a few. Prices range from $500 – $2,000 depending on the size.

An assortment of Zuber rare panels including my two favorite scenics – Scenes of North America and War of Independence.

Most panels will include the panel number, “made in France” and/or some version of the cartouche.

FRAMED ARTWORK

2. Zuber also offers a limited number of small-scale wood blocked prints. These “mini” panoramics were hand blocked in the 1920s and were once used to display full scenics to clients. “Paysage a Chasses” is displayed below and is one of nine framed prints in the series. Other scenics available in sets of nine include Decor Chinois, La Panier Fleuri, El Dorado, Jardin Japonais, Isola Bella, Les Courses de Chevaux, Paysage Italian, and Les Lointains. They are available for $100 each (unframed) or by the set for $700. Modern prints are also available at $50 each in scenics including Le Bresil, El Dorado, Isola Bella. The prints are being sold in limited numbers, ensuring a unique opportunity.

Nine vintage prints in scenics including Paysage a Chasses are now available for purchase.

Modern prints, including El Dorado, are also available.

PILLOWS

3. Zuber offers exquisite appliquéd, embroidered, and screened pillows in limited quantities. Each design is representative of Zuber’s panoramics, including the floral pillow (pictured in the middle below) with various applications in the style of their silk Reveillion panels. Pillows range in price from $225 – $1,250.

4. Zuber offers a selection of 100 percent silk scarves featuring a number of their famous scenes including Hindoustan, Isola Bella, Les Lointains, and Bresil. Made in France, the scarves are each 35 x 34 inches and are priced at $325.00 each.

While wallpaper trends may come and go, Zuber’s panoramic murals have been highly coveted for well over 200 years, and will no doubt continue for another 200. A timeless classic for sure! One day I plan on covering a room in our home with my favorite Zuber scenic, but until then I am thrilled to have various ways to incorporate this historic brand into daily life. If you have been considering Zuber for your home, now may be the time! Zuber does not have sales, but a little bird told me there will be price reductions on select retail January 24 – 26, coinciding with The Winter Antiques Show. Please email [email protected] or call 212.486.9226 for additional details.

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Comments

Thank you for this. First morning home after a scary stay in the hosp. for a heart problem, and you give me this gorgeous bit of soul nourishment. I can’t tell you how wonderful looking at this made me feel. I worked in wallpaper many years ago, sold it retail, wholesaled it, even hung the stuff for my friends and myself. I love it. And this is…beyond the beyond. De Gournay has just opened a showroom here in SF, and bad health has kept me from it, but I have hopes of getting there one day, soon. Again, THANKS for this. SO lovely.